Drum practice set with single column foldable assembly



R. D. BELLI Aug. 9, 1966 DRUM PRACTICE SET WITH SINGLE COLUMN FOLDABLE ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 21, 1965 i i a2 Frragugq 6 I m L U 4 5 E w 3 I 0 W United States Patent 3,264,926 DRUM PRACTICE SET WITH SINGLE IZOLUMN FOLDABLE ASSEMBLY Reine D. llelli, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to Reina, Inc, North Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,992

5 Claims. (Cl. 84-411) This invention relates generally to drum practice sets, and more particularly to a drum practice set in which rigid support is provided by a central support column and horizontal arms which collapse into a package, and preferably, the rigid assembly is used with a drum pad which provides optimum practice characteristics, without requiring a more massive practice pad assembly support structure.

Both professional and serious amateur drummers generally employ a practice drum set for most or a substantial part of their daily practice, because practice on an actual set of drums would produce more sound than either the musician or nearby persons want to hear. Also, a drum set is a large and bulky piece of musical apparatus, and it is desirable to be able to practice in a hotel room or in ones own room at home, while producing so little sound that persons outside the room are unaware that drum practice is going on.

Unfortunately, most drum practice sets have been relatively massive affairs themselves. Their massivity has been required in order for the drum practice set to have stability while. the drummer operated a foot pedal beater for beating the bass and applied his drumsticks to two or more other drum practice pad surfaces mounted on the same structure. No heretofore known drum practice set has been completely foldable and yet provided sufficient structural stability for satisfactory practice.

Some drummers have compromised in solving this problem by simply carrying separate practice pads, which they place on nearby tables and the like. The only drum practice structure which they carry is one which mounts only the foot pedal beater and a bass drum practice pad. This approach is inferior to the complete practice set in a single structure, and is not relevant to the unitary, lightweight, folding, but stable drum practice set of the present invention.

A characteristic of the massive structure of previously known drum practice sets was a large base, with several upwardly projecting upward columns permanently aifixed thereto, different pads being mounted on each of the columns. Naturally, no one transports such drum practice sets in a suitcase. In most previously known drum practice sets, a rubber pad is used to simulate the drumhead. Such pads are highly unsatisfactory; they are not tuneable like a true drumhead, they are noisy, and they transmit so much vibration and noise to the practice pad support structure, that massive construction is required for that structure in .order to enable it to function satisfactorily.

Other previously known drum practice sets have utilized the tuneable drumhead, but have proven to be very loud and to have sound characteristics completely unlike that of the same head when mounted on a drum.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a drum practice set which is lightweight and foldable, but which also closely simulates a set of full sized drums at a low level of sound, and with a minimum of shaking and vibration.

Another major object of the invention is to provide such a drum set in which the drum practice pads are tiltable exactly like the drum heads of a drum, and which closely simulate the corresponding drum at a low sound level, without requiring a more massive support structure than the relatively light structure of the present invention.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a drum practice set which can be quickly and conveniently folded into a small space, and accommodated within the average suitcase.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a drum practice set which may be adjusted to provide almost any combination of drum head positions used by professional drummers. Thus, in the practice set of the invention, as many as six drum heads or cymbal locations, or the like, may be provided in addition to the bass drum location, each being independently adjustable horizontally, vertically and in degree of tilt.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will best be understood from the following description of one preferred specific embodiment, which description may be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a drum practice set constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragment of a vertical sectional view as viewed in the direction of the arrows 22 in FIG- URE 1, at a central, laterally disposed vertical plane;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view, in fragmentary detail, of the central column and base of the invention, showing the manner of adjustment for the horizontal arms of the drum support structure;

FIGURE 3a shows the manner in which the drum support arm can be folded to occupy a space no wider than the base platform of the drum practice set structure;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view along the diameter of a drum practice pad employed in the invention as seen in the direction and at the plane indicated by the arrows 4-4 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded assembly view, shown in perspective, of the principal components of the drum practice pad employed in the invention.

In FIGURE 1, a drum practice set, constructed in one preferred form of the invention, is seen in perspective and is indicated generally by the numeral 10.

The entire structure of the drum practice set 10 is supported primarily on a single central column 11 and its transverse base member 12. Column 11 and base 12 comprise a T-shaped structure, which may be laterally stabilized at right and left, as viewed by a drum player facing it, by means of right and left stabilizing screws 13 and 14 respectively, which are threadably received through the transverse base member 12 at its outer ends, and may be adjusted vertically to make firm contact on an uneven floor.

In the preferred form of the invention, the T-shaped support structure comprised of transverse base 12 and vertical column 11 provide substantially all the rigidity of the drum practice set 10, other parts being relatively light in construction. Consequently, metal parts of substantial cross section, such as aluminum extrusions are preferred. The vertical column 11 may be a hollow aluminum tube of rectangular cross section, and the base 12 may be a solid aluminum bar with a central longitudinal slot 12a which closely fits the base of vertical column 11.

The illustrated drum practice set 10 is provided with a bass drum practice pad 21, which is mounted on the front of column 11, three other drum pads 22, 23, 24, and another percussion instrument, such as a cymbal, indicated in dashed outline by the numeral 25. Drum practice pads 22, 23, and 24 may correspond to any of the many percussion instruments played by a drummer, such as snare drum, tom tom, etc.

The drum pads 22, 23, and 24, and cymbal 25, are supported in a manner which permits of their adjustment in three dimensions to suit the requirements of a particular drummer. They are provided, respectively, with individual horizontal arm supports 26, 27, 28, and 29, which are of sufficiently large cross-section to be substantially rigid, and which extend radially from the top of column 11, in horizontal planes, one above the other. Each of the arms 26 to 29 is radially adjustable by virtue of a longitudinal slot, as indicated inFIGURE 1 by the numeral 39.

Vertical positioning rods 31, 32, 33, and 34 are vertically mounted in the outer ends of radial arms 26, 27, 28, and 29 respectively, and are vertically adjustable therein by means of split openings 35 which may be tightened by means of tightening screws 36.

The single central column 11 is prevented from toppling forward by support from vertically adjustable legs 41 and 42 which are telescopically mounted in the front vertical drum pad support rods 31 and 33. Tightening screws 43 are provided for holding adjustable legs 41 and 42 in the desired position. Also, a drum beater pedal 44 of any standard type, which may be mounted on the front of transverse base member 12, so the drummer can beat on bass drum pad 21, will provide some front support for the drum practice set 10.

A preferred form of construction for the assembly comprised of base member 12, column 11, and the horizontal radial arms 26, 27, 28, and 29 is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2, which is broken away in the middle so as to reduce the vertical proportions of the drawing, for conveniences of compact illustration, reveals that the upper end of column 11 is covered by means of cover plate 50, which is provided with central, vertical, internally threaded bore 51. A long threaded rod 52 is threadibly received in bore 51, and extends through a vertically aligned hole 53 in base member 12. A nut 54 is tightly threaded onto the lower end of rod 52, thus holding the column 11 and the base member 12 in permanent, tight assembly, relative rotation being prevented by virtue of the fact that the base of column 11 seats in slot 12a (see FIGURE 3).

Horizontal arms 26, 27, 28, and 29 (only arms 26 and 28 being shown in the illustration of FIGURE 2) are retained and tightened in position by means of a retainer nut 55, which is provided with a manual tightening shoulder 56. It will be seen from FIGURE 3a that the arms 26 to 29 can be folded into compact alignment with the base member 12, when tightening nut 55 is loosened, by virtue of the length of slot 30. Thus, the main supporting structure of the drum practice set 10 can be conveniently packed flat in a suitcase, after the drum pads 21 to 24, and cymbal 25, and vertical rods 31 to 34, and footpedal beater 44, have been demounted for purposes of compact packing.

FIGURE 4 shows a vertical sectional view through one diameter of one of the practice pads, for example practice pad 22, and reveals that it is mounted on the upper end of rod 31 by means of an adjustable tilt mounting 60 which is provided with a tilt adjustment screw 31 and an upwardly projecting, threaded mounting bolt 62.

FIGURES 4 and show the preferred construction for the drum practice pad used in the drum practice set 10. As seen from the exploded assembly view of FIG- URE 5, the drum practice pad 22 closely simulates the construction of a high-grade professional musicians drum, and like such a drum is tuneable. A standard drum head 70, comprised of a metal frame ring 70a and skin 70b, is mounted between an inner ring 71 and an outer ring 72, both of which are fastened firmly to a wooden base disc 73 by means of screws 74.

A cylinder of foam plastic 75 fills the space between the baseboard 73 and the skin 70b. The foam cylinder 75 must be carefully selected to provide the right density and resilience so that the desired drum tone is simulated at a very low sound level.

FIGURES 4 and 5 reveal that mounting base disc 73 has a central opening 73w provided with an internally threaded sleeve 73b for mounting on mounting bolt 62.

Preferably, the drum practice pads 22 to 24 are provided with an auxiliary mounting base 80, fastened to mounting disc 73 at an inclination which makes the pad properly positioned for practice drumming if it is removed from mounting bolt 62 and placed on any convenient horizontal surface, such as a table top. The tilt platform is provided with mounting screws 81, for attachment to the underside of mounting disc 73 and spacers 82 for providing suitable inclination. Also, a peripheral ring of rubber 84 provides base disc 80 with a non-slip and non-marring under surface.

The threaded mounting bolt 62, which is received in the internally threaded sleeve 73b, when the drum practice pad 22 is mounted on the swivel mount 60 passes freely through a central opening 85 in base platform 80. Preferably, a heavy rubber spacer 62a is provided with the mounting bolt 62 to permit resilient manual tightening of the drum pad 22 onto bolt 62, as spacer 62a comes in bearing contact with the underside of base platform 80.

The foregoing description of a preferred specific embodiment of my invention sets forth many valuable details, for the construction of the invention in its best form. However it will be understood that these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. On the contrary, it is intended that all modifications, variations, and improvements which fall within the scope of the appended claims are included within the intended scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A drum practice set which includes:

a rigid inverted T structure comprised of a central upstanding column and a transverse horizontal base member;

a plurality of horizontal arms projecting radially outwards from the top of said central column member;

an arm assembly retaining means for said arms, at

the upper end of said central column, and a holding means associated with said retaining means for releasably fastening said arms in a selected radial adjustment;

a plurality of vertical positioning rods, one mounted in the outer end of each of said horizontalarms, and vertically adjustable therein;

holding means for releasably retaining each of said rods in adjusted vertical position;

vertically adjustable leg means in the lower ends of at least some of said rods, to provide vertical adjustment to floor level, for stable support of said drum practice set; and

drum practice pads mounted on at the upper end of at least some of said rods.

2. A drum practice set Which includes:

a rigid inverted T-structure comprised of a central upstanding column and a transverse horizontal base member;

a bass drum pad means mounted on the face of said upstanding column and a foot pedal beater means attached to said T-structure at right angles to said base member;

a plurality of horizontal arms projecting radially outwards from the top of said central column member;

an arm assembly retaining means for said arms, at the upper end of said central column, and a holding means associated with said retaining means for releasably fastening said arms in a selected radial adjustment;

a plurality of vertical positioning rods, one mounted in the outer end of each of said horizontal arms, and vertically adjustable therein;

a holding means for releasably retaining each of said rods in adjusted vertical position; and

drum practice pads mounted on at the upper end of I at least some of said rods.

3. A drum practice set which includes:

a rigid inverted T-structure comprised of a central upstanding column and a transverse horizontal base .member;

a bass drum pad means mounted on the face of said upstanding column and a foot pedal beater means attached to said T-structure at right angles to said base member;

a plurality of horizontal arms projecting radially outwards from the top of said central column member, said arms being in stacked array, and each of said arms being longitudinally slotted for a substantial part of its length in the part above said central column;

an arm assembly bolt upwardly projecting through the slots of said arms from the upper end of said central column, and a tightening nut received on said belt for tightly retaining said assembly of arms on the top of said central column;

a plurality of vertical positioning rods, one mounted in the outer end of each of said horizontal arms, and vertically adjustable therein; holding means for releasably retaining each of said rods in adjusted vertical position;

vertically adjustable leg means in the lower ends of at least some of said rods, to provide vertical adjustment to floor level, for stable support of said drum practice set;

drum practice pads mounted on at the upper end of at least some of said rods, aid practice pads being comprised of a tuneable drum head mounted on a rigid support base, and a foam filling between said drum head and its support base of a density and resilience selected to simulate drum tones at a low sound level.

4. A drum practice set which includes:

a rigid inverted T-structure comprised of a central upstanding column and a transverse horizontal base member;

a plurality of horizontal arms projecting radially outwards from the top of said central column member, said arms being in stacked array, and each of said arms being longitudinally slotted for a substantial part of its length in the part above said central column;

an arm assembly bolt upwardly projecting through the slots of said arms from the upper end of said central column, and a tightening nut received on said bolt for tightly retaining said assembly of arms on the top of said central column;

a plurality of vertical positioning rods, one mounted in the outer end of each of said horizontal arms, and vertically adjustable therein; holding means for releasably retaining each of said rods in adjusted vertical position;

vertically adjustable leg means in the lower ends of at least some of said rods, to provide vertical adjustment to floor level, for stable support of said drum practice set;

drum practice pads mounted on at the upper end of at least some of said rods, said practice pads being comprised of a tuneable drum head mounted on a rigid support base, and a foam filling between said drum head and its support base of a density and resilience selected to simulate drum tones at a low sound level.

5. A drum practice set which includes:

a rigid inverted T-structure comprised of a central upstanding column and a transverse horizontal base member;

vertically adjustable leveling means at the outer ends of said transverse base member;

a plurality of horizontal arms projecting radially outwards from the top of said central column member, said arm being'in stacked array, and each of said arms being longitudinally slotted for a substantial part of its length in the part above said central column;

an arm assembly bolt upwardly projecting through the slots of said arms from the upper end of said central column, and a tightening nut received on said bolt for tightly retaining said assembly of arms on the top of said central column;

a plurality of vertical positioning rods, one mounted in the outer end of each of said horizontal arms, and vertically adjustable therein; holding means for releasably retaining each of said rods in adjusted vertical position;

vertically adjustable leg means in the lower ends of at least some of said rods, to provide vertical adjustment to floor level, for stable support of said drum practice set; swiveling head means on the upper ends of said rods; and

drum practice pads mounted on at least some of said swiveling heads, said practice pads being comprised of a tuneable drum head mounted on a rigid support base, and a foam filling between said drum head and its support base of a density and resilience selected to simulate drum tones at a low sound level.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,688,561 10/1928 Straub 84-411 2,722,860 11/1955 Pace 844l1 2,893,283 7/1959 Ippolito 84-411 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DRUM PRACTICE SET WHICH INCLUDES: A RIGID INVERTED T STRUCTURE COMPRISED OF A CENTRAL UPSTANDING COLUMN AND A TRANSVERSE HORIZONTAL BASE MEMBER; A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTAL ARMS PROJECTING RADIALLY OUTWARDS FROM THE TOP OF SAID CENTRAL COLUMN MEMBER; AN ARM ASSEMBLY RETAINING MEANS FOR SAID ARMS, AT THE UPPER END OF SAID CENTRAL COLUMM, AND A HOLDING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID RETAINING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY FASTENING SAID ARMS IN A SELECTED RADIAL ADJUSTMENT; A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL POSITIONING RODS, ONE MOUNTED IN THE OUTER END OF EACH OF SAID HORIZONTAL ARMS, AND VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE THEREIN; HOLDING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING EACH OF SAID RODS IN ADJUSTED VERTICAL POSITION; VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE LEG MEANS IN THE LOWER ENDS OF AT LEAST SOME OF SAID RODS, TO PROVIDE VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT TO FLOOR LEVEL, FOR STABLE SUPPORT OF SAID DRUM PRACTICE SET; AND DRUM PRACTICE PADS MOUNTED ON AT THE UPPER END OF AT LEAST SOME OF SAID RODS. 